Kansha is the Japanese word for ‘appreciation’, explained

What does “kansha” mean in Japanese?

Native speakers say “kansha” often to mean ‘appreciation’ in Japanese. Perhaps, some Japanese learners know this word as it is sometimes used in Japanese conversations. In this blog post, however, I will explain this word in detail based on its kanji expression. And also, I will explain how to use it through example sentences. My explanations would help Japanese learners understand “kansha” more clearly. Then, let’s get started!

Contents

• Definition and meanings of kansha
• What does “kansha” literally mean in Japanese?
  • Example #1: how to say “gratitude” in Japanese
• Kansha suru: the verb form
  • Example #2: how to say ‘to appreciate’ in Japanese
• Summary

Definition and meanings of kansha

Let me start with the definition and meanings of “kansha”.

• kansha – 感謝 (かんしゃ) : a noun meaning ‘appreciation’, ‘thanks’, or ‘gratitude’ in Japanese.

Native speakers use this noun to refer to their feelings of gratitude in Japanese. So, the usage of this noun is very similar to those of the English ones written above, I think.

The definition and meanings are simple and clear. To understand this noun more clearly, however, let me explain its kanji characters in detail, one by one.

What does “kansha” literally mean in Japanese?

The kanji expression of “kansha” consists of the following two kanji characters:

• 感 : a kanji character widely used to mean ‘sense’ or ‘feeling’ in Japanese. This kanji can also be found in other words like “kanjiru“.
• 謝 : a kanji character widely used to mean ‘apology’ or ‘appreciation’ in Japanese.

From these two kanji characters, we can understand that “kansha” literally means a ‘sense of appreciation’ in Japanese. What the kanji characters express is completely in line with the actual meanings, I think.

When we meet new kanji expressions, we should check their kanji characters in detail to understand their meanings clearly and deeply. In many cases, kanji characters tell us a lot about the meanings of the expressions they form. Actually, here, we could get the better understanding of “kansha” through the detailed kanji check above.

So far, I’ve explained the definition and meanings of “kansha” together with its kanji characters. Then, let me explain how to use it through the example sentence below.

Example #1: how to say “gratitude” in Japanese

Below are the new words used in the example sentence.

• boku – 僕 (ぼく) : a pronoun meaning ‘I’ in Japanese. This is used mainly by boys and young males.
• tachi – 達 (たち) : a suffix used after a noun or pronoun to make its plural form. In the example, this is used after “boku” to make its plural form, “boku tachi”, which means ‘we’ in Japanese. Learn more about Japanese plural.
• wa – は : a binding particle working as a case marker or topic marker. In the example, this works after “boku tachi” to make the subject in the sentence.
• no – の : a case particle joining two nouns. Normally, the first one can work as a modifier to describe the second. In the example, this works to join “kansha” and “kimochi”. The formed phrase literally means a ‘feeling of gratitude’ in Japanese. Word orders in Japanese and English are different, but the role of this case particle is similar to that of the English preposition, “of”.
• kimochi – 気持ち (きもち) : a noun meaning ‘feeling’ in Japanese. This can also work as plural.
• de – で : a case particle used to say what means is used to reach a particular situation or state. In the example, this is used after “kansha no kimochi” to indicate with what the speakers are full.
• ippai – いっぱい : an adverb meaning ‘full’, ‘much’, ‘many’, or such in Japanese.
• desu – です : an auxiliary verb used after a noun, adjective, or adverb to make it polite. In the example, this is used after “ippai” to make it sound polite.

This is a typical usage of “kansha”. In this example, it works as a part of the noun phrase, “kansha no kimochi”, which literally means a ‘feeling of gratitude’ in Japanese.

Kansha suru: the verb form

Next, let me explain the verb form of “kansha” as follows.

• kansha suru – 感謝する (かんしゃする) : a verb meaning ‘to appreciate’ in Japanese. This can also mean ‘to be grateful’ or ‘to be thankful’.

“Suru” is added. Normally, it works as a verb to mean ‘to do’ or ‘to perform’ in Japanese. When it follows a noun, however, it can work to make the verb form of the preceding noun. In this case, therefore, it can work to make the verb form of “kansha”. In Japanese, many nouns can be changed to their verb forms with the help of “suru”. It’s worth knowing, I think.

Then, let me explain how to use “kansha suru” through the example sentence below.

Example #2: how to say ‘to appreciate’ in Japanese

Below are the new words used in the example sentence.

• watashi – 私 (わたし) : a pronoun meaning ‘I’ in Japanese.
• anata – あなた : a pronoun meaning ‘you’ in Japanese.
• no – の : a case particle used after a noun or pronoun to make its possessive case. In the example, this is used after “anata” to make its possessive case, “anata no”, which means ‘your’ in Japanese.
• kyoryoku – 協力 (きょうりょく) : a noun meaning ‘cooperation’ in Japanese.
• ni – に : a case particle used to say to which object an action is directed. In the example, this is used after “anata no kyouryoku” to indicate the object to which the action described by the verb is directed.

This is a typical usage of “kansha suru”. When we want to mean ‘to appreciate’, ‘to be grateful’, or ‘to be thankful’ in Japanese, this verb is a very good option.

Summary

In this blog post, I’ve explained the definition and meanings of “kansha” in detail based on its kanji expression. And also, I’ve explained its verb form. Let me summarize them as follows.

• kansha – 感謝 (かんしゃ) : a noun meaning ‘appreciation’, ‘thanks’, or ‘gratitude’ in Japanese. Native speakers use this noun to refer to their feelings of gratitude in Japanese. So, the usage of this noun is very similar to those of the English ones written above, I think. These two kanji characters literally mean a ‘sense of appreciation’ in Japanese. So, what the kanji characters express is completely in line with the actual meanings.
• kansha suru – 感謝する (かんしゃする) : a verb meaning ‘to appreciate’ in Japanese. This can also mean ‘to be grateful’ or ‘to be thankful’.

Hope my explanations are understandable and helpful for Japanese learners.